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Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, LWV to Hold Rally To Ban Assault Weapons

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In the wake of yet another horrific massacre in our state and as students’ outraged voices join the growing cry demanding action, the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and the League of Women Voters of Florida are holding a Rally To Support Gun Safety Reform at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 21 on the steps of the Historic Florida Capitol.

For the past two legislative sessions, the Coalition and League have supported a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.

Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Sen. Linda Stewart have introduced bills calling for these bans, but neither have been placed on their legislative committees’ agenda to be heard.

At Wednesday’s rally, dozens of students, many who have spoken passionately and eloquently in recent days, will lead the charge for meaningful change. Afterward, petitions that contain thousands of signatures calling for the assault weapon and large-capacity magazine bans will be delivered to Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran.

“We demand these bills be heard – and passed,” said Patricia Brigham, Coalition co-chair and 1st vice president of the state League. “What possible argument can be made that legislation designed to loosen gun laws get a full airing year after year, while smart gun safety bills languish? Our legislators are literally allowing our residents – our children – to be slaughtered.”

The fact that the 19-year-old who killed 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last week legally bought the AR-15 rifle he used for the premeditated murders should be catalyst enough to move our legislators to action.

“After the latest horrific tragedy in Parkland, Gov. Scott and the Florida Legislature must act now to ban military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines,” said Andy Pelosi, co-chair of the Coalition and director of The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus. “Our students and staff need to know that they are safe. The time for action is now.”

The rally will include a number of speakers, including students, Sen. Gary Farmer, Rep. Smith, Angie Gallo of Florida PTA, Brigham, and the Rev. Joe Parramore.

The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence was created by the League of Women Voters of Florida after the Pulse shooting to promote smart gun legislation. It has grown to include more than 120 local, state, and national organizations and includes such diverse groups as the Hispanic Federation, the Florida PTA, Equality Florida, the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, and Doctors for America.

Gov. Scott Convenes Florida Leaders to Work on Solutions to Keep Students Safe

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Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland last week, Governor Scott said that he would be quickly organizing meetings with state and local leaders to discuss ways to keep Florida students safe, including school safety improvements and keeping guns away from individuals struggling with mental illness. Tomorrow, February 20th, Governor Scott has organized state and local leaders to meet for workshops at the Florida Department of Education (DOE), the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Florida Sheriffs Association. These groups will consist of members of law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, mental health experts, and state agency leadership. Governor Scott will be attending these workshops throughout the day and will hold a roundtable to discuss their findings at the end of the day.

All meetings will be open to the media and address the following:

  • The education workshop will focus on school safety improvements and updating school security protocols and emergency plans.
  • The mental health and child welfare workshop will focus on ways to expand mental health services for Floridians, especially students, and improve coordination between state, local and private behavioral health partners.
  • The law enforcement workshop will focus on ensuring individuals struggling from mental illness do not have access to guns and potential safety improvements for firearm policies.

Governor Scott said, “I have spent the last week in Parkland talking to members of the community, students and families of the victims who are suffering following this horrific shooting. While there are only three weeks left of the legislative session, we must make changes to keep students safe.  A tragedy like what occurred in Broward County must never happen again and swift action is needed now. I am bringing local and state leaders together to find solutions on how to prevent violence in our schools and keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill individuals. This is an urgent matter that we must address quickly.”

These meetings are not open to the public, but will be live-streamed by the Florida Channel at thefloridachannel.org. A website will be provided to submit public input.

WHAT: Workshop with education officials

WHEN: 10:00AM -12:00PM; 2:00PM – 4:00PM

WHERE: Florida Department of Education
325 W Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399

WHAT: Workshop with child welfare advocates and behavioral health leaders

WHEN: 9:00AM -11:00AM; 2:00PM – 4:00PM

WHERE: Florida Department of Children and Families
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399

WHAT: Workshop with Florida’s law enforcement community

WHEN: 10:00AM -12:00PM; 2:00PM – 4:00PM

WHERE: Florida Sheriffs Association
2617 Mahan Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32308

WHAT: Roundtable with Governor Scott and leadership members from workshop groups

WHEN: 5:30PM

WHERE: Florida State Capitol
Governor’s Large Conference Room
400 S Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399

NOTE: The Florida Channel will be live-streaming the meetings at thefloridachannel.org

“Not So Noisy” Bike Week Promotes Cycling as Fun, Healthy Option

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The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) reThink Your CommuteTM program has partnered with Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to host the 2018 “Not So Noisy” Bike Week February 19-24. This initiative is to promote bike safety and active transportation.

A community festival will take place on Saturday, February 24 at Bethune-Cookman University’s L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing, located at 739 West International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach. The festival starts at 9 a.m., and will feature a kid-friendly bicycle safety rodeo and a transportation information fair. Representatives from the FDOT’s Alert Today Alive Tomorrow campaign, Votran, the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization, Florida Bicycle Association, and more will be on-site to answer questions and provide resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to be professionally fitted with a free bicycle helmet and enter to win a free bicycle, lights and lock.

At 10 a.m., the Daytona Beach Police Department will escort a 6.5-mile slow-paced bike ride. The route will begin and end at Bethune-Cookman University, with participants traveling to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Daytona State College. The group will use regular travel lanes and shared-use paths where available. Children are prohibited from participation in the 10 a.m. bike ride. Helmets are strongly encouraged.

The community festival will include the Florida premier of the documentary “Why We Cycle.” This new documentary features cyclists and scientists from all walks of life as they examine Dutch cycling culture. The documentary will be shown at 11:30 a.m. in the Lucille O’Neal Lecture Hall at Bethune-Cookman University’s School of Nursing.

For more information and to register for the bike ride, visit BikeWeek.org or call 866-610-RIDE (7433.)Media inquiries can be directed to the Communications Manager, Steve Olson, at (386) 943-5497 or via email at [email protected].

About FDOT’s reThink Your CommuteTM Program
FDOT’s reThink Your Commute promotes smart transportation solutions for Central Florida’s workforce. From carpooling to telecommuting, the program assists employers and commuters across nine counties. For more information on the reThink Your Commute program, visit reThinkYourCommute.com or call 866-610-RIDE (7433).

Report fish and wildlife sightings with FWC’s new app

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites Florida residents and visitors to take an active role in conservation by reporting fish and wildlife observations with the new FWC Reporter app.

From fish kills to exotic species, to trapped or injured wildlife, FWC Reporter connects citizens to FWC experts directly from their Apple or Android devices.

“This app strengthens our relationship with the public by engaging people and streamlining communication with our staff,” said Gil McRae, director of FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “This is a great opportunity to incorporate citizen participation into our research and management efforts.”

The FWC often relies on reports from citizens to protect and manage Florida’s diverse fish and wildlife. To make a report, users select a category from the menu, provide relevant information, and submit photos if available. Download the FWC Reporter app and become a partner in conservation.

You can download the free FWC Reporter app on Apple or Android smartphones or tablets from the App Store and Google Play.

Boca Raton man claims top prize in new FLORIDA 20X THE CASH Scratch-Off game

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James Barie and his wife, Linda, pose with his oversized check after claiming
a $1,000,000 prize in the FLORIDA 20X THE CASH Scratch- Off game.

The Florida Lottery announces that James Barie, 60, of Boca Raton, claimed a $1 million top prize in the FLORIDA 20X THE CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $770,000.00.

Barie purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 3740 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The new $5 game, FLORIDA 20X THE CASH, launched on January 15, and features 14 top prizes of $1 million, and more than $110 million in cash prizes. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.22.

Scratch-Offs are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in FY 2016-17, and comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales.

RoadWatch Advisory for I-75/University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange in Sarasota/Bradenton

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SARASOTA/MANATEE

I-75/University Parkway (mile marker 213), Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Sarasota/Bradenton:  Construction project: 

Lane Closures – Northbound I-75 On and Off Ramps at the I-75/University Parkway Interchange:

Wednesday, February 21. Details below:

The contractor anticipates implementing temporary single lane closures on northbound and southbound ramps of I-75/University Parkway interchange at night/overnight Wednesday, February 21 between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. while crews place the final layer of asphalt on the ramp. All ramps will remain open.

Improvements being made as part of this project consist of constructing a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on  I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signalization, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is early 2018. The contractor is Prince Contracting, LLC. For additional information, please visit the project website at swflroads.com/i75/university/.

Gov. Scott Issues Updates on State Response to Marjory Douglas High School Shooting

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Following the tragic shooting at Marjory Douglas High School in Parkland yesterday, Governor Scott has continued to be briefed by law enforcement and emergency management officials and has remained in communication with state leaders to ensure all state resources are made available. The Governor has also spoken with President Trump, the Department of Homeland Security and local school officials. Governor Scott remains in Broward County and additional details regarding the Governor’s schedule will be made available throughout the day. Governor Scott also announced that he will be organizing meetings with state and local leaders in Tallahassee next week to discuss ways to keep Florida students safe, including school safety improvements and keeping guns away from individuals struggling with mental illness. For more information, click HERE.

Information on the State of Florida’s response:

Florida Department of Education

  • The Department of Education has offered to send crisis management teams to Broward County. These individuals have extensive experience in crisis situations and stand ready to coordinate with Broward County’s crisis management teams to provide any additional community support.
  • Grief counseling is available today, Thursday, February 15, 2018, at a number of locations in Broward County for anyone needing support following the tragic events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School: http://bit.ly/2o7sIkw
  • Broward College is offering students counseling and 24-hour crisis support. To schedule an appointment or speak to a mental health professional, students should call 954-424-6916.
  • The Florida Department of Education has communicated with the Florida Association of School Psychologists, and their health care professionals, which are on standby to assist, and with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association, a branch of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which have offered virtual and in-person support.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

  • Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents are assisting Broward County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation and FDLE analysts are gathering information.
  • Florida’s See Something Say Something number is activated to accept calls for information regarding the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Anyone who has information, please call 1-855-FLA-SAFE.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

  • Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) provided perimeter support and is assisting law enforcement with the ongoing investigation.
  • The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will be deploying two Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) Mobile units to provide credentialing services to those impacted from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. In addition, impacted customers will be offered priority service in all DHSMV credentialing offices. Obtaining a Florida credential (DL or ID) will invalidate any previously-issued credential.

Florida Department of Children and Families

  • The Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) local managing entity, Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, has community providers, including Henderson Behavioral Health, offering grief and crisis counseling services to students, families, and school personnel. Currently there are eight counselors available at four sites designated by Broward County Public Schools.

Florida Department of Health

  • The Department of Health has been in contact with our partners at the Florida Emergency Mortuary Operation Response System (FEMORS) and stand ready to assist Broward County’s medical examiner.
  • OneBlood has responded to meet the current blood needs of the Parkland area hospitals, however OneBlood is requesting that those who are able donate O negative in order to replenish supply. Find donation locations here: https://www.oneblood.org/donate-now/
  • DOH continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to assist in any way.

Volunteer Efforts

  • The Salvation Amy is supporting with meals and water at the Family Assistance Center established by the Broward Emergency Operations Center.
  • American Red Cross staff, including Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Client Services as well as management and logistics support, are on scene at the Family Assistance Center. Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) have also been deployed.
  • Approximately 45 American Red Cross volunteers have responded in support of the families and first responders.
  • Volunteer Florida is supporting partner agencies responding to the event and will continue to coordinate with their local and state partners regarding potential unmet needs.

Florida Office of the Attorney General

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi, her director of victim services and approximately a dozen advocates are on the scene helping victims and their families with counseling services and funeral, burial and medical expenses.
  • Victims of the attack in need of assistance can contact the office toll-free at 1(800) 226-6667 or use the following contact form: http://myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/Contact?OpenForm&Section=Crime_Victim_Services.

Sen. Daphne Campbell calls for assault weapons ban in Florida

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State Senator Daphne Campbell on Thursday issued the following statement:

“The tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School deeply trouble me. The time for a “having a conversation” is now. We must take substantive action to ensure that acts of violence like this never happen again. I call on Governor Scott and my colleagues in the House and Senate to support legislation banning the sale of assault weapons (SB 196/H219 in our state.

“Mass shooting like: Aurora, Sandy Hook, Pulse, Las Vegas and Sutherland TX all have one thing in common and that an assault weapon was used to kill a large number of innocent citizens in a short period of time.  It baffles me that a teenager in our state can walk into a gun store and purchase a machine of death without a mental evaluation, or a waiting period, before walking out of the store with a gun.

“How many Floridians must die before we take action? Now must be different, now is the time that we must buck the gun lobby and enact common sense solutions that will protect our children, our cities, and our state. No Floridian should be able to possess a weapon that was developed for use on a battlefield.

“Let’s end these senseless killing in our state, let’s make Florida a safer place for our children and neighbors. We have the power to make a difference. Let’s start now.”

Senator Farmer Statement on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

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State Senator Gary Farmer released the following statement regarding yesterday’s tragic school shooting in Parkland FL:

I am heartbroken by the devastating act of evil that occurred yesterday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Every one of these too often occurring incidents is a tragedy, but as a former resident of Parkland and the Chairman of the Broward Delegation, this particular act of violence has left a brutal and lasting scar on my heart. I want to express my condolences and support to both State Senator Kevin Rader and State Representative Jared Moskowitz who represent the districts where the school is located.

I have been personally affected by the tragedy that unfolded yesterday. My family previously lived just 7 miles from the school. My daughter had friends in the school that day, and her life and the lives of my entire family have been forever changed. While my fight for proper gun safety measures began long before today, this incident has only hardened my resolve to protect our children from the horrors of gun violence.

In the wake of this life-shattering event our initial reaction must be to provide aid and comfort to the victims and their families. Last afternoon the lives of every student in that school and our entire community were shattered, and we need to be ready and available to assist them in any way possible. We cannot, however, lose sight of the major gaps in current statutes which allowed this tragic event and those before it to occur. The Florida State Senate and House of Representatives must act immediately to close these holes and provide our students and teachers with the protections that they so desperately need.

Legislators and pundits who have been misguided or corrupted by the powerful pro-gun lobby will say that it is too soon to act. To that, I say that it is too late. It is too late to prevent the horrors that unfolded yesterday, and it is too late to prevent the evil acts that have occurred elsewhere. However, it is never too late to take action and prevent this evil act from ever happening again.

Today a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas accurately summed up the current situation as he reminded politicians that “Ideas without action remain ideas, and children die as a result.” For years I and many of my colleagues have proposed legislation that would take the necessary steps to address our State’s lack of gun safety measures. These proposals have been ignored amongst the majority leadership in both Chambers, and Floridians have paid the price with their blood and tears. The time to act is now, and those who refuse to do so whether knowingly or not are providing material support to the continuation of violence in our State.

In the State Senate a bill has been filed to ban the same type of assault weapon that was used to carry out the mass murder that occurred in Parkland. Despite the clear need for such legislation displayed both this week and by numerous incidents before, such as the Pulse shooting, this bill by Senator Stewart (SB 196) has remained unheard in any committee.

The weapon used in yesterday’s shooting has been described as an “AR-15 style rifle.” This style of weapon has become the weapon of choice for those seeking to commit mass murder in our schools, businesses, and other community gathering places. These weapons have the ability to carry more rounds than could ever be required for recreation or self-defense. They are loaded using detachable magazines, which allow the user to quickly reload and continue to unleash a stream of lethal ammunition upon their victims. Let there be no doubt about it, AR-15 style rifles and other assault weapons are designed to be instruments of mass slaughter, and have no place in the hands of any civilian. With the devastating result of the widespread civilian access to weapons of war staring us directly in the face, I find it unconscionable that any legislator could oppose an effort to take them off the streets. I once again urge the majority leadership in the State Senate to immediately take up SB 196, to address this threat to our children and communities.

In the hours following yesterday’s shooting, news quickly surfaced that there were clear warnings about the intentions of the evil perpetrator of this act. Despite online threats made by the shooter which specifically stated his intentions to commit violent acts (both in his former school and against law enforcement) state, local, and federal authorities did not possess the tools that they needed to prevent the shooter’s access to deadly weapons. Currently our State statutes prohibit the registration of firearms in Florida. This means that when threats are issued, our law enforcement is unable to determine if a suspect has access to weapons that would allow them to carry out their threat. My bill, SB 1476, would eliminate the Florida statute that currently bars the creation of a statewide firearm registry.

The gaps in our current gun safety laws are so major and so numerous that the prospect of taking action may seem daunting. My fellow state legislators need to be aware that the vehicles to provide for gun safety in Florida exist in current bills that have not yet been given the chance to be heard. We can take action to prevent future violence before the legislative session ends in March, and our legislators must be held accountable if they fail to do so.

It is too late to stop the horrors of yesterday, but it is not too late to prevent tragedy from occurring tomorrow. What we saw yesterday is the direct result of a failure by the Legislature to act. The students of Parkland suffered from that failure, and in the wake of this tragedy, they are calling upon us to act. Broward County School Superintendent Runcie has told us that in the hours following this tragedy students have reached out to him telling him that now is the time for us to have a “reasonable conversation about gun safety legislation.” We owe it to the victims of this horrifying event to take immediate action to address comprehensive gun safety legislation.

One of the most common descriptions of this event that I have heard and read on social media is that this was a “senseless tragedy.” That is wrong. This wasn’t senseless. It was the logical, even likely result of our failure to regulate the sale of firearms. It was the result of a steady stream of obstruction by the gun industry. And it was the result of law enforcement not being provided with the tools needed to stop events like. What is senseless is that mass killing after mass killing occurs in this country, but we only express remorse and call for thoughts & prayers but fail to take action to stop these events from happening. Enough!!

As a State Senator, and more importantly as a father, I will not rest until we can ensure the safety of our children and communities. I will fight tooth and nail against every dangerous and nonsensical pro-gun piece of legislation in the State Senate. I will not allow our State Legislature to act as a contributing factor to the horrifying violence that we saw this week, and I demand that my fellow legislators do the same.

For those affected by this tragedy, the following resources have been made available:

Grief counselors are available for all of our students, families and staff.

To speak to a BCPS Family Counselor from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16, call 754-321-HELP or 754-321-4357.  You can also email [email protected].

In addition, for Marjory Stoneman Douglas students, grief counselors are on site at the following locations:

Pine Trails Park Recreation Center and Amphitheater 

Coral Springs Gymnasium    

Coral Springs Center For The Arts 

For Marjory Stoneman Douglas staff members, grief counselors are available at Parkland Library.

For those seeking to provide help to those affected by this tragedy, a GoFundMe account has been established to help provide for their needs: GoFundMe.com/stonemandouglasfund or BrowardEducationFoundation.org.

Gov. Scott: We Must Have a Real Conversation About Keeping Students Safe

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that he will be organizing meetings with state and local leaders in Tallahassee next week to discuss ways to keep Florida students safe, including school safety improvements and keeping guns away from individuals struggling with mental illness. Governor Scott remains in Broward County and has continued to be briefed by law enforcement, emergency management, and local school officials. Additional details on next week’s meetings will be announced in the coming days.

Governor Scott said, “This senseless act of evil is absolutely heart wrenching. Our entire state is in mourning, and we have to make sure something like this never happens again. The violence must stop. We cannot lose another child in this country because of violence in our schools. We need to have a real conversation about public safety and protecting schools in our state. That is why, next week I will be organizing meetings with state and local leaders in Tallahassee to discuss what we must do immediately to keep our schools safe and keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill individuals.

“As a father and grandfather, I cannot imagine the pain these families are going through, and Florida’s parents need to be able to wake up every morning and know their children are going to a safe school. We have an opportunity right now during the ongoing legislative session to have this important conversation, and I have spoken to Senate President Negron and House Speaker Corcoran who are incredibly focused on this. My goal is that these meetings and conversations will help us move forward and protect our schools, our families, and our students.”